Articles by Utopia Support

Bonny storage must be paid for

Thursday 19 April 2012 | Published in National

The owner of a yacht that was found abandoned at sea in January with its skipper missing will be pursued for charges relating to its mooring and storage at Avatiu harbour, Cook Islands Police Inspector John Strickland said. The yacht Bonny has been stored at the harbour since January 3 when police patrol boat Te […]

Elderly advise priorities

Thursday 19 April 2012 | Published in National

Rarotonga’s population aged 60 and over have identified access to healthcare, financial security and being able to live with dignity as points worth protecting for the elderly people of the Cook Islands. The government is currently developing an official policy to help guide the future coordination and delivery of services to the elderly in the […]

Final call for Miss Cook Islands entrants

Thursday 19 April 2012 | Published in National

The Miss Cook Islands Pageant Association is issuing a final call to aspiring Miss Cook Islands contestants. All Cook Islands women between 18 and 26 years of age are invited to register for the June 7 pageant before April 27. “We are looking for our newest role model to represent our young women and our […]

'Star Wars moment' in health

Thursday 19 April 2012 | Published in National

Health services in the Cook Islands have had a ‘Star Wars moment’ with the addition of online, telecommunication equipment to its arsenal, according to secretary of health Tupou Faireka. The Rarotonga Hospital officially launched the new system at a special meeting on Wednesday, linking officials in Rarotonga with hospital trainers and medical professionals 3000 kilometres […]

New police minister 'impressed'

Wednesday 18 April 2012 | Published in Local

Minister of Police Teariki Heather says community involvement is key to police work and he will use his new role to encourage Cook Islands Police to meet as often and as regularly as they can with the people of each vaka. Heather officially took over the police portfolio from Prime Minister Henry Puna at a […]

Fuel farms on 'provisional' licences

Wednesday 18 April 2012 | Published in Local

Both Toa Petroleum and Triad Pacific Petroleum are operating under provisional dangerous goods licences. The Ministry of Internal Affairs became aware of issues of non-compliance at both facilities following the release of a damning independent report in late 2010. Both were subsequently denied full dangerous goods licences. Since then, Toa and Triad have taken steps […]

Opera in paradise

Wednesday 18 April 2012 | Published in Features

Motone Productions has confirmed details for this year’s Opera in Paradise. Dubbed an intimate and distinguished event, the Opera will feature New Zealand’s finest sopranos, Mere Boynton and Deborah Kapohe, at Crown Beach Resort and Spa’s Oceans Restaurant stage. The ‘opera house’ is framed with lush tropical gardens and a turquoise lagoon at sunset, and […]

Rude awakening in Rarotonga

Wednesday 18 April 2012 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I recently returned from Pukapuka where I have been living for the last four months. In Pukapuka, I never had anything stolen. My toothbrush once went “yaelele” or for a walk, but it came back. Occasionally something would be borrowed but almost always returned. I never had any problems from men and was […]

Cut tax to $35

Wednesday 18 April 2012 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, Firstly I would like to acknowledge the Cook Islands News for highlighting some of the problems embracing our country at the moment. So keep up with the good job. Secondly I refer to the departure tax problem. I read in the newspaper the other day the Demo Party, if they become the government, […]

'Go Local' campaign needs support

Wednesday 18 April 2012 | Published in Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I wish to respond to the letter by ‘Frustrated local business’ in last Wednesday’s edition of Cook Islands News regarding the widening trade gap in the Cook Islands. There is no denying that the imbalance between our imports and exports has become much greater and this should be a concern to all. It’s […]

Kata - April 18, 2012

Wednesday 18 April 2012 | Published in Kata

Dalai Lama in our ei!

Wednesday 18 April 2012 | Published in National

The Dalai Lama arrived in Honolulu a short while ago, and was greeted by high school seniors from Kamehameha Schools. They chanted, sang and danced. The Dalai Lama cracked some jokes. He shook hands. Before anyone could give him ei, he grabbed an orchid and a maire ei and threw them over his own head […]

Sports minister reports from Russia

Wednesday 18 April 2012 | Published in National

Members of the Oceania National Olympic Committee (ONOC) have met with Minister of Sport Mark Brown to discuss the current standing and future plans of the Cook Islands Sports and National Olympic Committee (CISNOC). Brown is currently in Russia, attending the Second World Olympics Sports Convention alongside 171 sports ministers and 204 national Olympic committees […]

Australian police donate to Cooks police

Wednesday 18 April 2012 | Published in National

The Cook Islands’transnational policing capabilities have been bolstered by a donation from the Australian Federal Police, who handed over the keys to a car and a store of surveillance equipment at a special ceremony yesterday. Superintendent Murray Taylor and Federal Agent Anthony Hall travelled from AFP’s Fiji hub to officially hand over the donations to […]

Cultural re-awakening for Atiuans

Wednesday 18 April 2012 | Published in National

Their people have spread far and wide across the world but for the first time they will be celebrating their culture and history in their adopted home of Rotorua. More than 160 descendants, relatives and family members from the small island of Atiu in the Cook Islands will converge on Apumoana Marae in Rotorua from […]

Ministry releases dangerous goods report

Wednesday 18 April 2012 | Published in National

The Ministry of Internal Affairs yesterday released the 2010 Audit of Dangerous Goods Installation report that was prepared and finalised in November 2010 with the assistance of the New Zealand Department of Labour’s technical leader of hazardous substances Kim Comben. Internal Affairs secretary Bredina Drollet noted that the report represents a snapshot of compliance to […]

Majority in breach of the law

Wednesday 18 April 2012 | Published in National

A contentious report drafted by New Zealand dangerous goods inspector Kim Comben in 2010 has been made available for public viewing. Responding to advice from Chief Justice Tom Weston and a subsequent Cook Islands News request for information under the Official Information Act, the Ministry of Internal Affairs yesterday released the document. The report represents […]

Report damns Te Aponga Uira

Wednesday 18 April 2012 | Published in National

An independent report reviewing the dangerous goods handling procedures of Cook Islands facilities calls state-owned enterprise Te Aponga Uira a “disappointment”. As a state-owned entity, Te Aponga Uira (TAU) is not subject to the same standards under the Dangerous Goods Act as independent operators. It has no dangerous goods licence, though it does not need […]

Tutaka underway

Tuesday 17 April 2012 | Published in Local

Public health inspectors began a new round of tutaka health checks yesterday. The inspections will be conducted randomly with health officials fanning out across the island checking properties. Senior health inspector Charlie Ave says the main purpose of the week-long tutaka will be to check for mosquito breeding and resting place. “We want to make […]

Airport charging plan shelved

Tuesday 17 April 2012 | Published in Local

Proposed changes to aeronautical charges at Rarotonga Airport have been sidelined following the public bashing they received last week. The government will instead consider wider changes to what costs and charges are being asked of airlines in taxes and fees. Airport Authority chief executive officer Joe Ngamata yesterday said government had decided to shelve the […]